Hydrogeological Evaluation of Hydrological Data and Criteria Correlation Using GIS and AHP Methods in Hilvan District, Şanlıurfa, Türkiye

This study evaluates the groundwater potential of the study area through the integrated analysis of key hydrogeological parameters. Based on long-term precipitation and groundwater level data, the mean annual precipitation was determined as 456.23 mm, while groundwater levels ranged between 4.2 m and 18.7 m, with an average depth of 10.3 m. Water budget calculations indicate that approximately 3.9 million m³ of water infiltrates into the aquifer annually. A total of nine parameters—precipitation, aquifer characteristics, slope, drainage density, soil type, geology, land use, geomorphology, and land capability—were analyzed using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in raster format. The weights of these parameters were determined using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), and the consistency of the model was validated with a consistency ratio of CR = 0.07. Correlation analysis revealed strong positive relationships between precipitation and groundwater levels, as well as between permeability and groundwater potential (r > 0.6), while a significant negative correlation was observed between slope and groundwater potential (r < -0.5). According to the Groundwater Potential Map, 10% of the study area is classified as “very good,” 20.80% as “good,” 30.56% as “moderate,” 18.75% as “poor,” and 19.89% as “very poor.” The results indicate that approximately 22% of the area has high groundwater potential, making these zones priority targets for future well siting and sustainable groundwater resource management.